H1B Visa Interview Process - What happens in H1B Visa Interview

Arrive at the US embassy or consulate where your appointment for a H1 visa interview is scheduled. Persons with incomplete applications will not be admitted. Persons with special needs who require assistance, please contact the consulate at least 48 hours prior to the interview to arrange admittance for an assistant.

What happens inside the consulate?

This video is a general illustration of what happens inside the consulate. The exact sequence and process may vary from consulate to consulate, and from time to time.

Watch the video to understand what to expect during the visa interview process, and what happens inside the consulate. If you prefer to read, you can follow the step-by-step explanation given below.

Arrive at the consulate

When you arrive at the consulate, you may need to stand in a queue outside the consulate. Only visa applicants may enter the consulate. Before entering the consulate, you may need to show your original passport, appointment letter, and Visa application fee receipt to the security staff.

Please note that electronic equipment, cell phones, bags, sprays, perfumes, liquids, backpacks, bottles, food, sealed envelopes, sealed packages, and dangerous items are not allowed inside the consulate. There is no facility at the consulate to store prohibited items. If you bring prohibited items with you, you will have to dispose of them before entry. Water and bathrooms are available inside the consulate.

Security check

As soon as you enter the consulate, you will go through a security check, which may include a full body metal detector scan.

Fingerprint verification for H1B visa

After the security check you will be given a token for your visa interview. You have then proceed towards fingerprint verification process. Once again, an officer will take your fingerprints to verify the fingerprints taken at the Visa Application Center(VAC). Fingerprinting requirements can change over time and across consulates. Follow instructions given to you by the staff at the desk.

Waiting area

Soon after fingerprinting, you will be directed to be seated in the waiting lounge area. You must sit quietly and wait for your turn to be called for the interview. Keep your documents ready. When your name is announced, you will be asked to proceed to a particular window number. Walk towards the window, greet the interviewer with a smile, and follow the instructions given to you by the interviewer.

The interview

The interviewer will be behind a glass window, and you will be able to speak through a microphone on the glass window. You will be able to hear the interviewer through a speaker, which is also on the glass window. A slot below the window will let you exchange documents with the interviewer.

The interviewer may ask questions and verify your documents. Answer truthfully and confidently. Answer only the questions you are asked. Do not provide more information than you are asked for, and do not present any documents that you are not asked to. The primary goal of the interview is to verify all information presented in the application and to make sure that you qualify for the desired visa.

If the interviewer approves your application, you will know immediately. The officer will say something to the effect of, "Your visa is approved". Your passport will usually be delivered to your India mailing address by courier within 3-4 business days. Under some circumstances, you may be allowed to pick up your passport in person.

If your visa is denied

If your visa is denied or put on hold, you will be informed accordingly. You will be able to pick up your passport soon after the interview.

Unable to attend US H1B visa interview?

Applicants who fail to appear for their US visa interview appointment are considered "No-Show" applicants.

If you are a No-Show applicant, your US visa fee receipt gets deactivated. You are required to wait for two working days, after the scheduled interview date, in order to reactivate your US visa fee receipt, prior to scheduling a new interview appointment.

Note that your US visa application fee receipt is valid for a period of 1 year (365 days) from the date of payment and entitles you to appear once at the Embassy / Consulate for visa interview. So the same visa application fee can be used , as long as you reschedule your interview within 365 days.

If something substantial in your situation has changed (e.g. travel plans, employment), a new DS-160 is required. Use the saved version to update your information and submit the new form. This will create a new CEAC barcode. If nothing in your situation has changed, use your original CEAC barcode while taking your appointment. Make your new appointment on USTravelDocs website with a valid US visa application fee receipt, following the same procedure used in making the previous appointment.